<h1>President uses Navy anniversary event to praise service, attack opponents, blame them for shutdown and vow back pay</h1> The president used a 250th Navy anniversary event in Norfolk as a rally-like appearance, praising the Navy while attacking political opponents and blaming them for a federal shutdown that left military personnel working without pay. He vowed back pay, criticized Democrats for blocking funding extensions, and touted expanded military roles, including domestic deployments and tougher Pentagon standards, as administration officials joined the festivities and observed demonstrations aboard an aircraft carrier. The trip highlights the administration's effort to leverage military support for political priorities amid partisan disputes over budgeting, healthcare subsidies and spending prerogatives.